April 5, 2010

I had a whole post written. Then my internet browser decided to update and I lost everything I had typed. (enter cursing under breath here)

It is now 12:15 in the morning and I really need to get some sleep. Therefore, I'm going to try to upload some pics and I'll work on the real post tomorrow.

The girls in their Easter dresses. I like the simple springy dresses.

Ya know...so they can wear it all summer.

Kalli took a moment from hunting for eggs to pose...Just for YOU!
Actually she just loves to pose like this. I don't get it either.

Cassie flying her kite while Kalli watches.

Getting a little artsy. Because, ya know, that is how I like to roll.

Also...today is my brother-in-law, Tim's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIMMY!!

And also...yesterday was my friend, Bill's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL!!

Recap

Editors Note: This post is 2073 words long. Holy Crumpets! Grab a snack, a beverage, and enjoy!!
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Anyone else feel like we've been running a marathon lately? I sure do.

This past few weeks it is like I've been going and going. It is finally starting to catch up though, and I find myself having to take it slower and relax some. Fortunately, this next week we have nothing going on...with the exception of Andy having to work some. The girls are off of school and my week is pretty free. It'll be a nice week to get caught up on things and maybe get a little organized. You know, like a find homes for all the new things that the girls got for Christmas.

Now where to start on getting you caught up? It's been a while, I know.

On the 18th of this month the girls had their Christmas Concerts at school. Cassie's (2nd and 3rd grades) was from 12-12:45. Kalli's (Kindergarten and 1st grade) was 2-2:45. I spent the morning volunteering in the library at school, and then met up with my mom, brother, and Andy to watch Cassie's concert. She did absolutely wonderful and the most touching part was when one of her classmates, who has been learning to play guitar, played with his dad and accompanied the group as they sang "Silent Night". Her group also sang...Snow Angels; Merrily, Merrily, Merrily, Merrily; Happy Holidays; Christmas Bells; and The Ride of the One Horse Open Sleigh.

After her part of the concert, Andy Tony and I went to lunch while my mom went to pick my dad from work. We then all met back at the school for Kalli's concert. Her group sang African Noel; S-A-N-T-A; The Mitten Song; In the Toy Shop; Jingle Jive; and Great Big Star. She did a wonderful job and I was surprised how well all the kids did with all families there. After Kalli's concert Andy and I said goodbye to my parents and Tony and headed to the library so that I could help out a little more until the girls' day was done and we could bring them home.

During the time in between things I found a moment to talk with the music teacher. Mind you, with all the volunteering I do at the school, all the teachers and staff know me pretty well, and I let her know how much I loved that she had brought Christmas back into the school concert. At the school the girls were at last year it was a "winter" concert. This year was a concert held during the winter, yet it was a Christmas concert.

The teacher, Ms. V, informed me that when she first started at this school she went out on a limb and tried Christmas music. At the end of the first concert, an elderly gentleman came to her with tears in his eyes and personally thanked her for putting Christmas back in the concert. From that point on she has continued and has gotten a lot of positive responses. I love that she pushed the limit that little bit and that it worked out. Winter concerts are nice, but a Christmas concert is just that little bit more special and helps get the kids in the spirit and excited about the holiday.
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On the last day of school before winter break the girls each had a Christmas party in their individual classrooms and I was able to help out in Kalli's classroom. Nothing like sugaring up kids before sending them home. Except...wait...one of those kids are mine. Damn!

I went around the school handing out gifts (homemade hot chocolate) to all the teachers that work directly with my girls, the librarian, the principal, and then left a large container with a note in the teachers' lounge. The last stop was with the principal and I talked with her briefly before the school day was done.

When I first signed the girls up at this new school this past summer I was quite anxious about the change. For Kalli she would be just starting Kindergarten there. No big deal. However, for Cassie, she would be starting 3rd grade. She was established at her old school. All the kids knew about her "disability" and that it was no big deal. At the new school, would the kids be so understanding? Would she have friends? I should have just looked at my little girl and known that it is impossible not to love her.

I thanked the principal (Ms. S) for working with us and for having such a wonderful school. I don't think principals get the credit due for the work they have to do....working with troubled children, parents that don't care or are difficult, and trying to keep track of (in the case of our school...400-some kids) It can't be easy. And yet the girls' school and the children that go there seem pretty tight-knit and accepting. Ms. S informed me that she is also impressed with how well the other children accepted Cassie. She said that it is like they don't even see that she is a little different. I personally, love it.

Ms. S also thanked me for being such a large part of the school...I volunteer any free days in the kindergarten classroom and library. (so much actually that they are trying to get me to apply for a few entry type jobs) I enjoy being appreciated. I've already told them they will either get sick of seeing me or just hire me on. And after the girls' concert I introduced my parents, brother, and Andy to Ms. S and she put her arm around me and said that I was the newest staff member. Maybe I have an in for when the girls are grown and I do need a job?? For now though I will volunteer, maybe sub for the noon monitors when they aren't available (if I get that application in), and enjoy getting my baby fixes through other peoples' children. :)
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Because we are procrastinators, professional procrastinators in fact, we finally took the girls to see Santa last weekend. You know...the weekend before Christmas. Good thing Santa listens close and has the elves working 24/7 this time of the year. The girls visited and I got a few pictures. I was quite impressed with Santa as when he saw Cassie in her wheelchair he got out of his chair and knelt down to talk with her and get pictures with the girls. It is the little things like this that just make me smile. He didn't need to...she could have transferred to him, or just sat next to him in her chair, but he went the extra step to get more down to her level. I appreciated it. Such a good Santa...he is on my good list.

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Christmas Eve morning we headed to breakfast like we do every year to celebrate Cassie's birthday. Because her birthday is Christmas Eve we have a breakfast which is hers and she gets one birthday gift from grandma. From there things become Christmas. We then celebrate her birthday in January on a day that we pick just for her.

This year when we headed to breakfast she had one less tooth to eat with. The day before, she had told me that one of her teeth was bothering her (aka: it is loose, I have issues with textures especailly in my mouth....therefore....please look, but DO NOT touch, determine if it is loose enough, and pull it. Without moving it. She likes to keep things interesting. I did get it out though as it was only connected by like 1 thread. Not any of Cassie's doing though. She won't wiggle teeth. They have to be pushed out by the next tooth. Because otherwise, they move. And we don't like things moving in our mouth. gulp.

After breakfast, Becky and Brady (the now 3 week old little sir fabulous) came to exchange gifts with the girls and to visit at my parent's. The girls are completely enamored with their new little cousin. Even Kalli likes him. Well, until he starts to move around more and following her. Then all bets are off. This picture is from a few days earlier when the girls were sitting together to hold him. Cassie is going to be such a super babysitter some day and a good mommy. She adores babies and young children that aren't her sister.

She does like her sister, but I've been informed that her sister is annoying sometimes and talks too much. All I can say is AMEN sister! No...really though, I used to feel pretty much the same way about Cassie. I used to ask her speech therapist if now that we got her to talk could we now get her to stop. Please.

I have hope that someday Kalli too will slow down the talking some, but I'm not holding my breath.
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Later in the day on Christmas Eve we opened gifts from everyone. (my parents, brother-Tony, to be sister in law-Kelli, and us) This year we had taken the girls shopping for each other. Talk about interesting. I've never been up and down the aisles at Target that much. Andy was with the opposite child browsing in a different area of the store. After going through the aisles for the 10 billionth time (ok...I exaggerate, but not much) I chose 3 things for the girl I had with me to pick for the other girl. Of course, at first they pick the thing that they would like the most. I then ask if that is what they think their sister would like. This question is followed by a stare that looks like I have 3 heads and a questioning look that is begging to know if this is a trick question.

"If your sister was here and I showed her these same 3 things, what would she choose", I ask rephrasing my question. The answer this time is something that I know shows that they aren't thinking of themselves. Selfless-ness is something that I really am trying to work on with the girls. I don't want them to think of Christmas, or life for that matter, as something that is only about them. It is about others and making other people happy sometimes too.

I took this picture of the girls response after they gave each other their gifts. I think they got it.

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This morning was Christmas morning and the girls woke us at what I refer to as "the butt crack of dawn". It is a time of the day that I am not a fan of. We got up though, because we are wonderful parents, and let the girls open their Santa gifts. They must have been on the good list because they got a couple of the things that they asked for and a couple they didn't even ask for. Cassie got a DVD of her favorite show on the planet....Cats. Best part: as she tore the first part of the paper off it was back side up and she said, "could it be?" she then tore the rest of the paper off, turned it around, and squealed. I've never seen her so happy about a gift. Of course she watched it and also watched the bonus features (the making of Cats, in this case). I think that Cassie is one of the only people that I know that LOVES to watch all the bonus features for movies. This includes the producer/director talk overs and such.

Christmas was very good to us this year. And with the exception of Kalli having a little bit of a cold, Cassie having a little bit of a runny nose, and my cold-induced asthma we are all healthy, happy, and enjoying time together. I'm actually not scared of the girls being off for the next week. Cuddling with them and playing sounds like the plan. Maybe there will some days that we stay in pjs all day. Who knows.

A certain person, however, did find Christmas to be exhausting.

Cassie came to get me when she saw that Kalli was sleeping. She is in my mom's chair here and she is O-U-T! Also...yes, those are roller skates on her feet. They are a gift from Becky and Kalli fell asleep with them on. That is my girlie!

Hope everyone had a superb Christmas, stayed safe, and that Santa was good to you. Also, since I mention birthdays on here. Happy Birthday to my first-ever baby, Cassie. Hard to believe that she is 9. When did that happen???

The good, the bad, and...other stuff

Remember me? Yeah, thank you for letting me have some time off after NaBloPoMo. I really needed the break from trying to come up with posts.

I have news to share. Actually 2 pieces of good news and 2 pieces of bad news. Which one to start with is always the hard part. If you start with the good, you have happy news right away but then you end with the bad news and it may just make the good seem not so good. If you start with the bad, you end on a positive, but may not enjoy the good because you are upset about the bad. It's a catch 22.

Good: I have a wonderful idea for my December banner and it is in the works. Should be up tomorrow. Better late then never.

Bad: When I brought the girls out to bus this morning, this is what I saw.

It does make for a good photo shoot opportunity though.

Even though it is gross.


Good: Becky had her baby this past Friday. It was an exhausting and stressful day but it ended with a healthy mommy and a healthy little boy. Brady Thomas came into this world on December 4th at 10:12 in the morning. He weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz and at a height of 20 inches. And let me tell you...he is a looker!!

Bad: Brady has jaundice. And is in a box, but not like a mime that is stuck in a box. More like a baby that you can't hold and cuddle for a long time kind of box. It actually sucks. And I'm not even the parent that wants to just hold their baby.

However, I have to say that Brady really rocks the look and the glasses make him look like the rock star that he is.


More tomorrow...when hopefully I'll have a banner done and something to write about.

Bringing you all up to date.

Yes, I'm still here. And yes, I've been a slacker. But...I'm only one person and between volunteering, children, and trying to keep things going here at home I feel like I've had no time and by the time I get to sit down here at the computer I'm absolutely exhausted.

Halloween has come and gone. We had a few Halloween events that we attended and then the girls also did the regular trick-or-treating. We only went about a block and a half and then the girls were cold and according to me they had plenty of candy so it worked out well. I really love that my children like dressing up, but don't want to go for blocks and blocks and blocks. I'm sure this will change as they get older but for now I'm enjoying it.

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As I believe I mentioned earlier, we also attended the Hiss and Howl Halloween Hullabaloo and had a dog for the day last weekend. The dog we got to care for was a female shih-tzu mix, named Rosie. She was absolutely wonderful and extremely easy to care for. She wasn't bothered by Cassie's crutches or Kalli running around. Rosie also had no issue with all the other dogs or cats that were there. A very laid back dog indeed.

Let's add to that the fact that the girls loved her and it made for a wonderful day. Cassie and Kalli took turns holding her leash and petting her. They also did a wonderful job of understanding that we couldn't keep her. At the end of the day they said their good-byes, hugged Rosie, and asked me if we could get another dog next year to have for the day and dress up. I said that we could probably do that.
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This past week the girls had a 'Fall Fest' at their school that we attended. There were tons of games at which you could win candy, Kalli won two times at the cake walk, and there was even an inflatable obstacle course. Looking at the course I told Cassie that she probably wouldn't be able to do it because there was a wall that you had to climb. I should know better then to doubt her though...when she became upset, I told her that she could try. To Andy and my amazement, she made it through somewhat easily. Twice. By the end of her second time she was exhausted, but the girls both went home with very good memories of their new school.

The highlight of the night by far was the limo ride. Yes, I said limo ride. For 3 tickets, which would equal $.75, kids could go on a 5 minute limo ride. When we got towards the front of the line, I asked the girls if they wanted me to come along or if they wanted to go alone. (there was a high-schooler and a couple other adults along to keep everyone safe.) Almost before I could get the question out of my mouth, Kalli was saying "alone". And they did. I helped Cassie in and out of the limo and took pictures when they arrived back and were getting out of the vehicle. So...as a 5 and 8 year old, my girlies had their first limo ride...and they LOVED it!

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So....I think that brings me up to date. And, to make all my loyal readers happy, I am going to try doing NaBloPoMo again this year. NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) is every November and the challenge is to post everyday for the 30 days of November.

So far, I'm doing well.

Summarized Randomness

Alright, I didn't get to post this afternoon. It is now 9:00pm and I'm trying to type up something to post, get a new banner up, and listen for Cassie and Kalli while Andy feeds Kaitlynn her bottle. No pressure though, really.

There is so much I wanted to post about. However, did I mention the shortness of time to post? So...I'm going to summarize some things and hope to get to others tomorrow.

-Our fourth of July weekend was wonderful. We started off on Thursday going up north by my Aunt and spending the night there. There was much four-wheeling, visiting, and sitting by the fire. Girls were very tired by the time we headed in to go to bed.

-Friday night we spent at my brother's where we ate, watched big fireworks, and were merry. The fireworks were awesome as it was our very own display put on by my brother and his girlfriend. Kalli ate the good part of an entire watermelon on her own, Cassie got to play some video games with Tony, and by the end of the night both girls were exhausted.

-Saturday we spent the day at my parents (painting because we're weird like that) and went to watch the city fireworks that evening with some of Andy's family and my family. Again...girls were exhausted.

-Sunday was mainly spent recovering. Kalli and I slept for 2 hours out in the hammock in my parents' backyard.

- Today I started packing. I had 3 boxes packed by the time Andy got home and we packed more once he was here to assist. A few small areas are cleaned out. Too bad we still have tons to go.

Here is the first box I packed. Exciting, eh? Lightning thought so...he was checking the box out.


Then, I think Lightning got worried because he jumped in the next box I was packing. Almost as if he is saying, 'don't forget me!' Don't worry...I didn't let him stay in there. I mean 3 weeks is a lot of time to spend in a box waiting. However, I didn't feel too bad packing up the girls' games. They'll live without those for 3 weeks. I know I will!


Alright...so much more I could type about, but baby is asleep and Andy wants to lay her down. Have I mentioned how much I like my niece. There is something else to blog about. She is growing so much lately. For now though, you'll have to believe me. Scary thought, huh?

May 11, 2009

Kalli didn't go to school today. Instead she went to the dentist for xrays. Remember back in April when she fell on her face and looked like she just had botox? Yeah...well last week I noticed that one of her front teeth was gray. After brushing it good it still looked gray. This is when my brain engaged and I remembered her fall. I called the dentist and the appointment was made. Turns out that her tooth is 'dead'.

As of this moment she is keeping the tooth until it falls out naturally. However, I have to watch for infection of the root. If this happens then she will have to have it pulled. We're hoping to go the natural way. I don't want to be the person to tell Kalli that they are going to pull her very intact tooth out.
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Tonight we were at my aunt's house and the girls were having turns riding on the 4-wheeler. Now I wasn't there when this happened but my aunt told me about it later.

Cassie, Andy, and my aunt were standing watching Kalli and I on the 4-wheeler and also watching the cows that live at my aunt's place. Suddenly one of the bulls jumped onto a cow. Now you and I know why...it's spring...everything is twitterpated. Cassie saw this, though and laughed out loud saying, "look at what the bull is doing. he's jumping on the cow." She doesn't know about twitterpation yet.

The picture, though, I got before the following happened...another example of the cows 'playing' together. If you look past the cows in the front to the black and white bull in the back you'll see what I accidently caught. Cow porn.

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And because I didn't get a chance to get on the computer yesterday. I hope that everyone had a pleasant Mother's Day. I know that I did. I spent the morning with my mommy and the afternoon at my sister-in-law, Trina's, house having a bbq with Andy's side of the family and Trina's parents. A good time was had by everyone and Trina put on quite a spread. (Thanks Trina)

Tomorrow I'm making dinner for my parents to thank my mom for giving birth to me. With the fact that I pooped on her right after I was born, she deserves more then a dinner, but I do what I can.

Easter, Days Off, and Botox

Yesterday was Easter and I was woken up at 7:30 by a phone call from a little girl squealing, "mom, the easter bunny came!"

The girls had spent the night at my mom's and called to say that there were eggs everywhere. When Andy and I got there the girls went to work at finding the 54 eggs that were hidden throughout the front and side yards. The girls had a blast and I was able to get a one or two pictures. I have to admit that it was easier to get pictures in previous years when they each moved a little slower. This year they both were off running to find eggs.

This year we also didn't put the girls in their Easter dresses for Easter. Instead I got pictures taken...they are in later this week for me to pick up. And seeing as neither of the girls would cooperate with me on Easter to get a nice picture, I'm glad I got professional pictures done.

Later in the day Andy and I took the girls across the street to the park to fly kites. They both held the kites until Kalli accidentally let go of hers sending Andy running after it. Though he did catch it, Kalli didn't want to hold it anymore and Cassie followed her lead of heading to the equipment to play leaving Andy and I to fly kites.



So that was Easter. Hope that yours was good too. :)
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That brings us to today. And I have a couple things to say about today.

1. I don't like days off of school...summer is going to be rough.

2. Grocery shopping with the girls sucks. Cassie keeps asking if we are done and saying that we are getting A LOT of groceries. It wasn't even a huge shopping day. I felt like looking at her and saying, "Well, stop eating so much"

3. Andy took the girls outside to play after supper. They had a great time until it was time to come in and Kalli did a faceplant...on the cement. I heard a howl from the hallway and knew it was probably my child. Andy carried her in and handed her to me. I assessed the damage and was glad to see a trip to the ER was not in order. She just cut her upper lip and scrapped her chin and under-nose. Is under-nose even a body part? She was hurting for the remainer of the night complaining that her teeth were hurting. There is something else to keep an eye on for the next couple weeks.

Did I mention the fact that she isn't very graceful? However...she looks like a star now. At least her lip does. Who's up for Botox?

New Banner

Second post for the day, though it is a short one. I just wanted to point out the new banner. The 'Boing Boing' has a story behind it, which I'd like to explain.

Once upon a long time ago, I was little. Shocking, I know. One Easter Eve I was laying in bed talking with my mom when suddenly she said, "Did you hear that?" Hear what, I asked? "It sounded like bouncing....like a 'boing boing' " I listened intently and my naive ears did hear a boing boing. I. Heard. The. Easter. Bunny. I ran off to bed because, like Santa the Bunny doesn't come if you are up and about.

Looking back, sure I was naive, but when you are young you believe so hard that even the sound of the bunny coming is feasable. Boing Boing!

Valentine's Day 2009

This post should have been posted the night of February 15, however, my laptop died. Yes, the laptop that I had just gotten earlier that day. Now sure I could have gone on my regular computer to put the post up on the site, however I was busy fuming from the fact that the second time I turned my brand new laptop on killed it. So instead I sat stewing while Andy called the place we got the laptop from and spoke with them.

Today I brought the laptop to said place and they fixed it. Seems that the webcam that this laptop comes equipped with needs an update done to it or else it kinda kills the computer. Darn webcam. Though I can't complain. The girls and I have a blast playing with the camera. Can't wait to get them singing and such. :)

Anyway...onto the post that should have been posted over 14 hours ago. Enjoy!
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No post yesterday because I was out celebrating Valentine's and by the time we got home I was too darn tired.

We started the day off with taking my dad and the girls to lunch at the buck burger place. Yum! Mind you this was at 11:00. So we started the day pretty late. Sleeping in on Valentine's day is the best way to start the day off. After lunch, we headed to Build a Bear as a surprise for the girls. When we rounded the corner in the mall to head down to the Build a Bear store we saw that everyone else in the city decided on the same Valentine's gift for their child. Super! I always love gifts that include standing in a line for over an hour.

The line was pretty steady moving, but it still took over an hour to get from the mall hallway through the entire store and back out into the hallway. The girls were very excited with their purchases and I was pretty sure that was the most expensive hour of my life. Well, aside from those therapy sessions that I'll have to pay for when the kids blame me for screwing them up. I mean seriously, how can two stuffed animals and two accessories cost so much? How can these people sleep at night? It is probably the high end mattresses, pillows, and mansions that help them sleep. They aren't stressing about the economy.

Anyway, we left with happy children and tired legs. Later that evening Andy took me out to supper at Mackinaws and out to a movie. I got to pick the movie and ended up deciding on Slumdog Millionaire. Let me tell you...awesome movie. I'd recommend it to anyone that is looking for a movie to see. After the movie we headed home for an early night and just hung out. We're getting old, I think. Shhh...no comments!

So here are the girls new friends. Cassie got a black lab which she named 'Max'. For Max she got a wheelchair. I'm not sure if Max needs the chair or if he just likes it because it has four wheels and goes fast.

Kalli picked out a zebra that she named...depending when you ask her...either 'Beauty Stripes' or 'Stripes Beauty'. For madame zebra she got a Sleeping Beauty dress. I know, shocking. It isn't like Kalli likes princesses or Sleeping Beauty at all.

As you can see, a good day was had by all. Hope that your day was enjoyable as well.

Welcome 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I have a few pictures to share from our little New Year party with the girls and my nieces. First up is a picture of all the girlies. Yes, I know Cassie looks drunk. I don't know why. There was no alcohol being drank.

After Cassie, Kalli and Kyra headed to bed I did a mini photo shoot with Kaitlynn. She is always so good about my photo shoots. I'm hoping that she always like this with me.

While there was no alcohol drank, we did use it as a prop.

I did make sure to tell Kaitlynn that she could hold the beer, but couldn't drink it until she was 21. She didn't seem to mind. See me....good role model.

We had a blast with the girls and I personally loved having them all here to celebrate the coming of 2009.

Onward and Upward.

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to you and yours. And if you're hung over from a fun time out last night, I'll try to whisper.

Andy and I spent the night at home with the girls and my 2 nieces. I'm going to try to get a picture of it a little later...say when we watch the ball drop at 11.

After going back and forth with whether or not we even wanted to go out this year (I'm getting old when I have to decide if I want to go out) I offered to watch my nieces so that my brother-in-law and sister-in-law could go out. Of course it kinda benefits me to as then I get to have my 5 week old niece overnight, but that wasn't the entire reason I offered. Just part of it.

My girls are loving the time with Kyra and right now I have Andy holding Kaitlynn so that I can get in a quick post.
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As of right now, I have no big resolutions for 2009. I'm going to try to continue taking better care of myself and also try to be a better mommy. However, I don't have any new ones to report for now. If I do come up with something though, you'll be the first to know.
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I'm still working on that post for Cassie's birthday. I'll get right to that as soon as I'm finished snuggling with the baby. Maybe tomorrow sometime. Come on....look at this picture and tell me she doesn't look absolutely snuggable.

Christmas Wrap-up

Christmas has come and gone and the good news is that we are all still alive. The bad news? The kids got too many toys.

I'm sure it is good news for them. And honestly, I'm glad that they had a good Christmas, have so many people that care about them, and hopefully won't be uttering the words "I'm bored" for the next month or so. However, where on earth am I to store all these new things??

I'm serious. Here is our tree at the end of the day. Note that I have picked up all stray pieces of paper and that I have organized under the tree some. Things are totally stuffed under the tree tightly.

The one thing that I want to work on for next year is being a little more appreciative of gifts. The girls, once getting to my parents, on Christmas Day literally said, "When can we open our presents." And after opening one would be looking for another right away. I know that they are young...well at least Kalli is...but I was disappointed in their behavior. We will be working on it for next year.
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Christmas Eve was Cassie's birthday and I am planning on writing more about that tomorrow. I would like to write a little post 'to' her. We'll see what I can come up with tomorrow.
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Tonight Andy and I took the girls to the Botanical Garden for the 'Garden of Lights'. As this winter has been pretty cold and snowy, we were lucky to have upper 30's for temperatures tonight as we looked at the lights. It's like a heat wave. (And yes I know it is crazy to call upper 30's a heat wave, but in comparison to temperatures last week and earlier this week, it is.) We rode the horse-drawn wagon and then walked around the upper area to see more lights. The girls loved it and want to go back when all the flowers are blooming again. For me, it was a wonderful end to a week filled with Christmas stress.

Here are a couple of the cute pics that I got of the girls on Christmas Day.

Kalli with her favorite gift....princess slippers from Uncle Tony.

Cassie opening gifts. Every time she would take a bow off a package, she would put it on her head.

December 22, 2008

I've been slacker when it comes to posting, I know. You'll have to forgive me as I'm trying to get everything done for Christmas, Cassie's birthday is on Wednesday (Christmas Eve), and I'm dealing with a never ending waterworks.

Last night I was up until midnight crying and this morning I was wishing that someone would just give me a shot of something that would dry up my eyes and make me sleep. I'm having a hard time dealing with my grandmother's death this Christmas. Last year I was so numb during Christmas that I just went through the motions. This year, though, hurts. I've been dealing with some headaches from the crying and my shunt just ached this morning when I woke. I've been trying to hold back the seemingly endless trickle of tears. Unfortunately, if I hold them back from trickling, sooner or later the damn brakes and I sob.

The other day, out of the blue, Kalli said, "I miss great-grandma." I answered, "Me too honey. Me too." And I do. I miss my grandma something awful this year. And honestly I HATE this.
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In hopes to end this on a happier note. This past weekend the girls decorated cookies I made and also decorated a gingerbread house. Tons 'o Fun!


Kalli's side of the gingerbread house (Note: I decorated the front :)

Cassie's side of the house.

The girls decorated cookies.

Dreaming of Happy Holidays!

One week from today is Christmas. Can you believe it? Neither can I.

My tree is up and decorated, but that is about the extent of it. I haven't finished my holiday shopping, I haven't made any Christmas cookies or candy, I haven't wrapped any gifts, and although my Christmas cards are completed and signed, I have yet to mail them out.

Somewhere along the line I must have stepped into a time warp and now here I am a week out from the festive holidays and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. So much so that last night at 9:00pm I broke down and told Andy that I just wanted to go to sleep. And that is pretty much what I did.

For those of you that have been living under rocks and therefore don't know me at all, sleep is my escape. When in pain and nothing helps, go to sleep. When certain things or people stress you out, sleep. When Christmas is 7 days away and you feel like a chicken that invariably has lost it's head don't fret...just go to bed. Sure you could always work on getting those tasks completed that need to be done but it is so much nicer to go to bed. I know that it will be there when I wake up, but there is always hoping little fairies come and do it for me while I slumber. Some people are ostriches and hide their heads in the sand. Others thrive on deadlines and procrastination. Then there are some people who, like me, would rather sleep and dream things away. We're similar to those ostriches in some ways, sure. But we are way better rested.

December 16, 2008

Tonight I was able to do another photo shoot with my little niece. Have I mentioned how much I like her? No I'm not obsessed. Shut up.

Cassie was able to feed Kaitlynn tonight and held her until she started dozing. Cassie also took 16 of her own pictures. Sure I took a few more. Alright so I took 67. Stop laughing at me.

I took some pictures of Kaitlynn with some of the girls' dolls. I call it 'Which one is the real doll?'

And here is a picture that I fixed up.

Visions of Sugar Plums dancing in her head.

And finally...a picture taken by Cassie.

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Every year since Cassie was little, I've made a Christmas CD of Christmas songs that the girls and I like. Today, I finally finished this year's CD. If you'd like a copy of this CD, please let me know.

Hallelujah!

(Queue the choirs of angels)

It is 10:12pm and I just finished coloring in the last month on my last calendar.

Sure I still have to pick out, print, and attach pictures. And sure I still have to write in holidays and birthdays. But those stupid months are all finished. And honestly...that is the most time consuming and biggest pain in the ass.

Now if only my wrist, hand, and fingers would speak to me again. Pain. Cramping. Ouch.

In the words of Kalli: Eewww Winter, Yummy Summer

Warning: This post contains a lot of pictures. You're welcome.

Who ordered this icky weather? Not I said the duck. If I had to be one of the nay sayers in "Little Red Hen" I'd be the duck. I like the duck. Though ducks do quack under pressure. Haha :)

Anywho... the girls are loving the snow because it means time outside to play each day after school. Yeah, they could have played outside before it snowed, but now there is a built in toy and Cassie is in heaven.

While I'm trying to avoid being out in the cold and snow, I'm enjoying the built in photo-op. I ventured out into the drift that was past my boots to get some nice pictures of the new fallen snow.

Like this snow covered pine tree and the sunset that was going on behind it. Or the following picture. There is a bush under there somewhere.

We could always play the hidden picture game with this next picture. Can you find 5 pumpkins?

After warming up and have dinner, Andy and I got the Christmas tree and decorations out. Andy set up the tree and put on the lights; I handed out decorations and took pictures; and the girls decorated.

The final result was very lovely. We are planning on making some homemade decorations to add to the tree as the month goes on, but for now. Here is how it looks.

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On a final note, I would like to point out that after posting for 30 days straight, I'm still going. Impressed aren't you? You should be. I'm amazed that I'm still going.